Local Republicans gather for speech

Geoff Mallicoat

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 2, 2004

By Geoff Mallicoat

A standing ovation and chants of "Four more years" filled the breakfast room at Midland's Fairview Inn on Thursday night when President George W. Bush took to the podium to accept his party's nomination for president.

Some 40 Republican Party faithful gathered to watch the final night of the Republican National Convention at a cocktail party organized by Diane Bristol, chairperson of the Bush-Cheney re-election effort in Midland County, and volunteer Cathy Leikhim.

Before New York governor George Pataki introduced President Bush, Sen. Tony Stamas, R-Midland, made an appearance and rallied the troops for what is sure to be a contentious campaign.

Leikhim and Bristol said they organized the party to help local Bush supporters network and to support the president.

Bristol joined Gov. Pataki in praising President Bush's handling of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the aftermath of those attacks. Her stepdaughter was working in Manhattan that morning and caught the last train off the island.

"I am grateful that George W. Bush was in the White House," Bristol said.

It's that leadership that gives her confidence that Bush will win the presidential election "hands down," because, according to Bristol, "When push comes to shove, people want strength and a president that puts people's interests first."

Bristol and Leikhim both brushed off Bush's perceived weakness in national polls on domestic issues by stressing the importance his position on national security issues.

Now Playing:

"You can talk all you want to about the economy, but nothing is important unless you are secure," Leikhim said.